…And  Hope Never Disappoints

Yesterday, I failed miserably. The details are unimportant,  just trust me when I say it was bad. After it was over, I was faced with several choices, I could wallow in self-pity, I could lash out and blame the people who failed in their assignment, or I could choose to rise.

 I CHOSE TO RISE.

 In making that choice, I was reminded that the first two options are much easier. Self-pity, at least in the beginning, makes other people feel sorry for you and attempt to comfort you.  Lashing out makes them feel as bad as you do.  Both require little effort and give you immediate gratification

Rising, on the other hand, takes mental and emotional energy.  It requires that we see the failed situation for what it really is, a temporary condition, not the end of the world.  Rising requires that we point out to others their mistake, not in an effort to hurt, but to insure they take steps to strengthen their weaknesses. Rising requires that when we fall, we get back up; knowing we cannot change the past, but are opening the door for new and continuous opportunities above all that we ever asked or dream. Rising requires hope, and hope never disappoints us.

Yesterday, I failed TEMPORARILY. Then I remembered that adversity builds character, and character builds persistence and persistence builds hope.   And knowing this, I got up and kept rising

Keep rising,

Dr. Angela

June 2011 BLOG

Everything must change

Nothing stays the same

Everyone must change

No one stays the same

                Lyrics by Bernard Ighner

 Change. There’s been a great deal of that happening here. The biggest is that Rise Sally Rise®, is now part of a new  company  Soothe Your  Nerves, Inc.  When we first started out, we were a company that  did  presentations and workshops for companies and organizations on  anxiety and fear.  But over the years, we’ve grown and evolved. Through our research  and with your support, we’ve developed Sisters Offering Support  Sister  Circles that  provide women with the tools to manage  their stress and anxiety calmly, quickly, and confidently.  Soon, we will begin to hold training retreats, so that therapists, counselors, ministers and life coaches can become certified in the SOS model. We are excited about  the new company. We are excited  about the difference SOS sister circles and products are making in African American women’s lives.

Yes, we have changed.  But never fear, we still remain firmly committed to making sure that you and  Black women all around the country – Keep Rising,

Keep rising,

Dr. Angela

When I was 6, I announced to my mother and the entire female population of my church, “that when I grew up I was going to be pastor’s wife because they always got to eat first and never got stuck with those nastydevil ham spread finger sandwiches.”  The punishment I received for making this announcement in the middle of the ladies auxiliary’s silver anniversary tea made me rethink this vocational choice.   

When I was 9, I wanted to be Nancy Drew.  But I wasn’t blonde and I didn’t know what a roadster was, so I thought maybe I needed to reconsider

At 12, I decided I was going to be a psychologist, and for 20+ years I tried to be the best psychologist I knew how to be.  Then one morning I woke up and realized that what matter most was that I strive to become the psychologist that the Creator meant for me to be.  At that moment Rise Sally Rise® was born.

Please click here to read the full article!

Keep rising,

Dr. Angela

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